FR3119023A1 - System for rapid analysis of a capillary blood sample from a subject, intended to detect the presence of at least one analyte in said capillary blood sample - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for the rapid analysis of a capillary blood sample from a subject, intended for the detection of the presence of at least one analyte (A) in said capillary blood sample (E). The rapid analysis system (1) comprises: (i) an analysis module (2) in which is incorporated at least one immunochromatographic strip (4), which analysis module (2) comprises: - a lancing device ( 7), adapted to generate a drop of capillary blood, and - a collector member (8) comprising a conduit (81), fixed, adapted to a flow of capillary blood, which conduit (81) comprises an inlet (811) adapted to the collection of said drop of capillary blood, and an outlet (812), arranged opposite a deposit zone (41) and suitable for depositing said drop of capillary blood on said deposit zone (41), and ( ii) a tank (5), distinct from/independent of said analysis module (2), in which is packaged a buffer solution (51) suitable for the implementation of said immunochromatographic technique. Figure for abstract: 1

Description

System for the rapid analysis of a capillary blood sample from a subject, intended for the detection of the presence of at least one analyte in said capillary blood sample

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the technical field of systems for the rapid analysis of a capillary blood sample from a subject, intended for the detection of the presence of at least one analyte in said capillary blood sample.

State of the art

A rapid diagnostic test, known as a "rapid screening test", is a test that quickly establishes (in a few minutes) the presence of at least one analyte of interest in a biological sample.

This approach conventionally uses the phenomena of chemical reactions by immunochromatography on strips (also called “lateral flow test”) which reveal a particular coloration allowing the result to be interpreted immediately.

This technique has the advantage of being simple, fast and inexpensive. Such tests can also be used in the doctor's office, but also at the patient's bedside or in the field.

In practice, an immunochromatographic strip is conventionally implanted in a casing (also called “cassette”) which is adapted to receive biological samples in liquid form.

In order to detect the presence of at least one analyte in a capillary blood sample, the rapid analysis system must also include the following elements:

- a pricking organ, adapted to generate a drop of capillary blood,

- a collector member, adapted to collect said drop of capillary blood then to deposit this drop of capillary blood on a zone of deposit of the strip, and

- a buffer solution adapted to the implementation of the immunochromatographic technique.

In general, these different elements of the analysis system are independent, requiring many manipulations.

However, there are analysis modules that integrate these elements as an “all-in-one” device.

Such devices are in practice relatively interesting and easy to use. However, they have the particular disadvantage of a large size for manipulations at the patient level.

It would therefore be interesting to propose a new rapid analysis system that combines the aforementioned elements, while preserving ease of use and optimized size.

Presentation of the invention

In order to remedy the aforementioned drawback of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a new system for the rapid analysis of a capillary blood sample from a subject, intended for the detection of the presence of at least one analyte in said capillary blood sample.

More particularly, according to the invention, a rapid analysis system is proposed comprising:

(i) an analysis module in which is incorporated at least one immunochromatographic strip, designed to detect the presence of said at least one analyte by an immunochromatographic technique,

which at least one immunochromatographic strip comprises a deposit zone intended to receive said capillary blood sample and a capture zone intended to detect the presence of said at least one analyte,

which analysis module includes:

- a pricking organ, adapted to generate a drop of capillary blood, and

- a collector member comprising a conduit, fixed, suitable for capillary blood flow,

which conduit has an inlet suitable for collecting said drop of capillary blood, and an outlet, made facing said deposit zone and suitable for depositing said drop of capillary blood on said deposit zone, and

(ii) a reservoir, distinct from/independent of said analysis module, in which is packaged a buffer solution suitable for the implementation of said immunochromatographic technique.

Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of the product in accordance with the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are the following:

- the analysis module has an elongated shape, delimited by two ends; the pricking member is implanted at a first end of said analysis module, and the collecting member is implanted at a second end of said analysis module;

- the collector member further comprises a through orifice adapted to receive the buffer solution, formed facing the deposition zone, advantageously, where appropriate, in said at least one connecting piece and the deposition window's sight; the through hole advantageously comprises an annular surface delimited by an inlet edge and an outlet edge, connected by a flared annular surface; preferably, the conduit outlet opens into the through hole; the duct is advantageously in the form of a gutter, the downstream outlet of which is cantilevered / projecting with respect to the through orifice;

- the analysis module comprises a gripping part, provided close to the pricking member, advantageously on the connecting part.

According to a preferred embodiment, the analysis module comprises a cassette in which said at least one immunochromatographic strip is incorporated; the pricking member and the collecting member are assembled with said cassette by means of assembly means, for example by means of interlocking means.

Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of this preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, taken individually or according to all the technically possible combinations, are the following:

- the pricking member and the collecting member are carried by at least one connecting piece, advantageously forming an adapter, which cooperate with the cassette by means of said assembly means;

- the pricking member and the collecting member are carried by a single connecting piece, which comprises means for assembly with the cassette, or two separate connecting pieces, each of which includes means for assembly with the cassette ;

- the pricking member cooperates with said at least one connecting piece by means of assembly means;

- the cassette comprises two front walls which are connected by a side wall, in which a first front wall comprises two windows, a deposit window, provided opposite the deposit zone of said at least one immunochromatographic strip, and a reading window, provided opposite the capture zone of said at least one immunochromatographic strip, and said at least one connecting piece comprises at least one front wall attached to said first front wall of the cassette and a skirt attached to said side wall of the cassette ; preferably, the pricking device is located opposite and in the extension of the side wall of the cassette.

The present invention also relates to the analysis module for a system for the rapid analysis of a capillary blood sample from a subject, intended for the detection of the presence of at least one analyte in said capillary blood sample. .

The analysis module incorporates at least one immunochromatographic strip, designed to detect the presence of said at least one analyte by an immunochromatographic technique.

Said at least one immunochromatographic strip comprises a deposit zone intended to receive said biological sample and a capture zone intended to detect the presence of said at least one analyte.

Said analysis module includes:

- a pricking organ, adapted to generate a drop of capillary blood, and

- a collector member comprising a conduit, fixed, adapted to a flow of capillary blood, which conduit comprises an inlet for collecting said drop of capillary blood, and an outlet for depositing said drop of capillary blood on said deposit zone .

The analysis module does not have a reservoir in which a buffer solution suitable for the implementation of said immunochromatographic technique is packaged.

Of course, the different characteristics, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

Detailed description of the invention

In addition, various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the appended description made with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting forms of embodiment of the invention and where:

is a general view of a rapid analysis system in accordance with the invention, in which the analysis module comprises a pricking member and a collecting member which are carried by a single connecting piece assembled with a cassette;

is a general view, and in perspective, of the analysis module according to the ;

is a schematic view, along a longitudinal sectional plane, of the analysis module according to ;

is a general view, in perspective and in exploded view, of the analysis module according to the ;

is a general view, in perspective, of a variant of the analysis module according to the , comprising a flared through orifice at the collector member;

is a general view illustrating the implementation of the analysis system according to the ;

is a general view of another rapid analysis module in accordance with the invention, in which the pricking member and the collecting member are carried by two separate connecting pieces, assembled with a cassette;

is a general view, in perspective and in exploded view, of the analysis module according to the .

It should be noted that, in these figures, the structural and/or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.

The rapid analysis system 1 according to the invention, described in relation to the figures, is suitable for the rapid analysis of a sample of capillary blood E (also called a "drop of capillary blood") originating from a subject, for detecting the presence of at least one analyte A in said capillary blood sample E.

By "detecting" is thus advantageously meant the qualitative determination (advantageously the presence or absence), or even quantitative, of one or more analytes A in the capillary blood sample E.

By "analyte" is meant any chemical, biochemical or biological entity that it is desired to detect in a sample of capillary blood E.

This chemical entity advantageously consists of an entity from the living world, preferably still present in humans.

Among the analytes detected by the system and the method according to the present invention, mention will be made in particular of proteins, peptides, antibodies, hormones, steroids, antigens derived from infectious agents or tumor cells, infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses or parasites, nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), therapeutic compounds, drugs or antibiotics.

Said at least one analyte A is preferably again chosen from antigens specific for an infectious agent.

The term “infectious agent” preferably means viruses, in particular the viruses responsible for pneumopathies, advantageously the Coronaviridae , more preferably Orthocoronavirinae or coronavirus.

By “coronavirus”, we mean SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2.

“Capillary blood sample” means a mixture of blood from arterioles, venules, capillary vessels and interstitial and intracellular fluid, obtained by capillary puncture.

Such a sample is advantageously obtained after a skin puncture, generally on the finger or on the heel.

For this, the rapid analysis system 1 according to the invention comprises:

(i) an analysis module 2 in which is incorporated at least one immunochromatographic strip 4 (visible on the ) for the analysis of the capillary blood sample E, and

(ii) a reservoir 5, distinct from/independent of the analysis module 2, in which is packaged a buffer solution 51 suitable for implementing the immunochromatographic technique.

According to the invention, the analysis module 2 further comprises:

- a pricking member 7, adapted to generate a drop of capillary blood, and

- a collector member 8, suitable for collecting said drop of capillary blood and suitable for depositing said drop of capillary blood on the immunochromatographic strip 4.

In other words, the analysis module 2 forms a device comprising at least one support part, or even an assembly of at least two support parts, advantageously made of plastic material, which carries said at least one immunochromatographic strip 4, the pricking member 7 and the collecting member 8.

Generally and according to a preferred embodiment, the analysis module 2 has an elongated shape, advantageously a generally parallelepipedal shape.

This analysis module 2 is delimited by two ends 21, 22, which are opposed longitudinally.

This analysis module 2 also advantageously comprises an upper face 23 which comprises at least one through hole 24 in communication with said at least one immunochromatographic strip 4.

The pricking member 7 and the collecting member 8 are advantageously distributed at the level of the two ends 21, 22 of the analysis module 2:

- the pricking device 7 is located at a first end 21 of the analysis module 2, and

- the collector member 8 is located at a second end 22 of the analysis module 2.

It is then sufficient to turn over the analysis module 2, to generate the drop of capillary blood and then to collect it.

In general, according to the invention, the analysis module 2 does not have a reservoir 5 in which is packaged a buffer solution 51 suitable for the implementation of the immunochromatographic technique.

This technical characteristic contributes to an optimal size of the analysis module 2.

The analysis module 2 also advantageously comprises a gripping part 25, provided near the pricking member 7 and at the level of the upper face 23, advantageously carried by a connecting piece 10 described below.

This gripping part 25 is useful for handling the analysis module 2, in particular during the implementation of the biting device 7.

Immunochromatographic strip

The immunochromatographic strip 4, also called “capillary diffusion means”, is designed to detect the presence of said at least one analyte A by an immunochromatographic technique.

These immunochromatographic strips 4 are formed from any means constituting or acting as a continuous capillary diffusion unit, by lateral migration (that is to say perpendicular to the thickness of the capillary material or materials used for the capillary diffusion ).

This capillary diffusion means advantageously consists of a porous solid support allowing the migration of a liquid by simple capillary diffusion.

The porosity of this support allows capillary diffusion (or lateral migration) of the sample and/or of the reagents in the liquid or wet state.

Such capillary diffusion means are very widely used, in particular in all the lateral migration immunochromatography techniques.

Such an immunochromatographic strip 4 here consists of an elongated support along the direction and/or the direction of the capillary diffusion (lateral migration).

The immunochromatographic strip 4 may consist of:

- one and the same capillary or porous material, or

- several different capillary or porous elements or materials, suitably arranged with respect to each other (for example by overlapping), to obtain a continuity of capillary flow from one element or material to another, according to the direction of capillary diffusion.

Such an immunochromatographic strip 4 determines a direction and a direction of capillary diffusion of any liquid which is received or deposited at an upstream end, and which then moves towards a downstream end of the immunochromatographic strip 4.

By way of example, the immunochromatographic strip 4 can be made up of various immunochromatographic supports, for example cellulose, nylon, nitrocellulose, polyethylene or fiberglass.

As described in connection with the , the immunochromatographic strip 4 comprises different successive zones, in the direction of capillary migration upstream to downstream, namely at least:

- a deposit zone 41, intended to receive the capillary blood sample E and the buffer solution 51,

- a release zone 42 which comprises at least one detection reagent conjugated with a visible and/or measurable marker, said detection reagent being able to move as a result of the migration of the buffer solution 51 along the immunochromatographic strip 4 , And

- at least one capture zone 43 which comprises at least one capture reagent, immobilized on the immunochromatographic strip 4, to detect said at least one analyte A.

The deposit zone 41 and/or said at least one capture zone 43 are advantageously accessible via at least one through hole 24 provided in the upper face 23 of the analysis module 2.

In other words, the upper face 23 of the analysis module 2 advantageously comprises:

- a first through hole 241, facing said at least one capture zone 43, for reading the analysis, and

- a second through hole 242, opposite said deposit zone 41, for depositing the capillary blood sample E and the buffer solution 51.

The release and capture zones advantageously consist of a transverse line or strip (extending perpendicular to the direction of migration), having for example a width of between 1 and 2 mm, and an area of between 3 and 5 mm².

In general, the "detection reagent" or the "capture reagent" consists of any chemical, biochemical or biological entity, which is capable of binding specifically to form a complex allowing the determination of said analyte in the capillary blood sample. E.

The detection reagent and/or the capture reagent also constitute so-called “binding” reagents.

Such binding reagents, allowing the detection of at least one analyte in the capillary blood sample E, are well known and can be chosen for the implementation of the invention.

These binding reagents are advantageously chosen from those which are capable of binding specifically with said analyte and/or of binding specifically with each other.

Depending on the test format implemented, the complementary binding reagents are intended to form different complexes:

- the binding reagents are able to bind concomitantly to the analyte, to form a test in sandwich format, or

- one of the binding reagents (detection or capture) is able to bind to the analyte but also to the other binding reagent (respectively capture or detection), to form a test in competition format.

By “binding” or “binding” is advantageously meant any weak binding of the antigen/antibody type.

The binding reagents are advantageously chosen from antibodies and antigens.

The analyte and the binding reagent thus typically form a couple capable of binding specifically with each other, such as for example an antigen/antibody moiety.

Thus, if the analyte is an antigen or a hapten, at least one of the binding reagents (the detection reagent and/or the capture reagent) is advantageously an antibody specific for the analyte.

By “analyte-specific antibody” is meant an antibody capable of binding specifically with the analyte in an antigen/antibody type bond.

It is typically a polyclonal antibody or a monoclonal antibody, having a high affinity for the analyte. Preferably, it is a monoclonal antibody.

If the analyte is an antibody, at least one of the binding reagents is advantageously the antigen recognized by the antibody.

The detection reagent(s) are advantageously conjugated to a visible and/or measurable marker, advantageously a particulate marker.

"Visible and/or measurable marker" means any marking allowing direct or indirect detection with the naked eye, or using a device, due to the emission of a signal at the level of said at least one capture zone 43.

The signal is for example a fluorescence, a coloration, the presence of an isotope or a magnetic signal.

Mention will be made, for example, of colored particulate markers such as colloidal gold, or fluorescent markers, colored latex particles, fluorescent latex particles and particles conjugated with avidin and streptavidin.

The particulate markers, colored or fluorescent, thus consist of small particles which are insoluble in water and which therefore form suspensions, dispersions or solutions, in the liquid phase.

Among the markers allowing direct observation with the naked eye, mention will also be made of markers of dextran type (Hansen T.M., IVD Technology 4, 35-40, 2003). The binding reagent is then conjugated to a chain of dextran (polysaccharide derivative) carrying fluorophores.

The markers can also consist of enzymes (alkaline phosphatase or AP, horseradish peroxidase or HRP, in particular), dyes or chemiluminescent compounds (in particular fluorescein isothiocyanate or FITC).

To increase the sensitivity, it is possible to use, for example, an antibody labeled according to techniques known to those skilled in the art for indirect detection, such as for example a biotinylated antibody, indirectly allowing detection by the formation of avidin entities -biotin and streptavidin-biotin.

This labeled and biotinylated antibody can also either be deposited directly on a test line, in the capture zone, to increase the sensitivity, or be deposited with the specific detection antibody, to increase the contact time and even the sensitivity in particular, for example, due to the number of binding sites.

For its part, in the capture zone 43, the specific capture reagent for the analyte is immobilized on the solid support according to techniques known to those skilled in the art.

This capture reagent is immobilized in such a way that it is not mobile when wet.

This immobilization can be carried out for example by absorption or by covalent coupling.

In the system according to the figures, the detection reagents and the capture reagents are advantageously chosen from reagents suitable for detecting the presence of said at least one analyte chosen from antigens, preferably specific for an infectious agent, preferably viruses , in particular the viruses responsible for pneumopathies, advantageously the Coronaviridae , more preferably Orthocoronavirinae or coronavirus.

The detection reagents and the capture reagents are advantageously chosen, without being limiting in any way, from:

- antibodies, advantageously chosen from anti-IgG antibodies (human) and anti-IgM antibodies (human), preferably directed against SARS-Cov-2,

- specific antigens of a microorganism, advantageously of a virus, preferably SARS-Cov-2, and

- adapted recombinant proteins.

In a preferred embodiment, the capture zone 43 may further comprise a control capture reagent.

This control capture reagent makes it possible to have a positive control in order to ensure the effective capillary diffusion of the liquid sample from the deposit zone 41 to the capture zone 43.

This control capture reagent is permanently immobilized downstream of the “analyte” capture reagents (“Control line” or control line).

It may for example be an antibody binding to the detection reagent(s).

Alternatively, this control capture reagent is independent of analyte A and simply makes it possible to check the diffusion of the liquid sample along the immunochromatographic strip 4 (for example by capturing a marked control reagent).

Buffer solution

The buffer solution 51 is suitable for rinsing the collecting organ 8 of the analysis module 2 and for being mixed with the capillary blood sample E for the implementation of the immunochromatographic technique.

This buffer solution 51 is in particular intended to migrate along the chromatographic strip 4 so as to cause, or at least to facilitate, the migration of the capillary blood sample E (and in particular of said at least one analyte A).

The buffer solution 51 is for example chosen from diluents composed of a buffered saline solution. It may also include a detergent or any other component necessary in particular for migration or reactions on the immunochromatographic strips 4.

To control the added quantity of this buffer solution 51, the buffer solution 51 is advantageously packaged in a reservoir 5 which includes a dropper.

O biting rgane

The lancing device 7, also called "lancing device" or "lancet", is conventional in itself and for single use.

It advantageously consists of a single-use device used to prick or puncture the skin, comprising a surgical blade or a needle which retracts irreversibly after use.

Such a pricking member 7 is suitable for generating a flow of capillary blood at the puncture point.

Such a pricking member 7 is advantageously suitable for performing a transcutaneous puncture, advantageously with a depth of 2.2 to 2.5 mm, generally on the lateral edges of the fingertips or on the heel.

collecting organ

Collector member 8 includes a fixed duct 81 suitable for capillary blood flow.

By “fixed”, we advantageously mean a conduit 81 which is immobile on the collector member 8, with an identical position for the collection of the drop of capillary blood and for the depositing of this drop of capillary blood on the immunochromatographic strip 4.

Duct 81 has two ends:

- an inlet 811, suitable for collecting the drop of capillary blood, and

- an outlet 812, arranged opposite the deposit zone 41 of the immunochromatographic strip 4 and suitable for depositing the drop of capillary blood on this deposit zone 41.

The capillary blood sample is thus intended to flow naturally, advantageously by capillarity and/or by gravity along the conduit 81, from the inlet 811 to the outlet 812.

The conduit 81 is advantageously adapted to the collection of a volume of capillary blood suitable for the analysis, for example of the order of 10 μL.

The duct 81 is here advantageously in the form of a gutter or a channel, advantageously with a section in the general shape of a U or a V, advantageously having an upper longitudinal opening (opening opposite the strip immunochromatography 4.

This embodiment is interesting for rinsing the conduit 81 with the buffer solution 51.

Collector member 8 also advantageously comprises a through orifice 82 suitable for receiving buffer solution 51, provided opposite deposit zone 41 of immunochromatographic strip 4 and advantageously opening out at outlet 812 of conduit 81.

This through hole 82 advantageously corresponds to the aforementioned second through hole 242, provided within the upper face 23 of the analysis module 2.

The through hole 82 can take different shapes, adapted to the passage of the buffer solution 51.

According to an embodiment illustrated in the , the through hole 82 advantageously comprises an annular surface 823 delimited by two edges:

- an 821 entrance curb, circular, and

- an exit curb 822, circular.

The two edges 821, 822 are connected by a flared annular surface 823, for example frustoconical, the section of which increases from the exit edge 822 (small diameter) to the entry edge 821 (large diameter).

Such a through orifice 82, in the general shape of a funnel, is useful for facilitating/concentrating the supply of the buffer solution 51 at the level of the deposit zone 41.

Preferably, the outlet 812 of the conduit 81 opens into the through hole 82. This approach is interesting for the rinsing of the conduit 81 with the buffer solution 51.

Outlet 812 of duct 81, downstream, is advantageously cantilevered / projecting relative to through-hole 82 and in particular to its outlet edge 822 (see in particular on the ).

This shape advantageously ensures optimal depositing of the sample, without contact with the outlet 812 of the conduit 81.

The conduit 81 still advantageously extends along the flared annular surface 823, between these two edges 821, 822.

This arrangement further contributes to optimizing its rinsing with the buffer solution 51.

The inlet 811 of the duct 81 advantageously protrudes with respect to the through orifice 82 (and protrudes with respect to the upper face 23 of the analysis module 2), to facilitate the collection of the capillary blood sample E .

Pricking organ and collecting organ assembled with a cassette

As shown on the in particular, the analysis module 2 advantageously comprises a cassette 3 in which said at least one immunochromatographic strip 4 is incorporated.

This cassette 3 is advantageously formed by an assembly of at least two support parts, forming a housing, which are made of a plastic material.

In this context, the pricking member 7 and the collecting member 8 are advantageously assembled with this cassette 3 by means of assembly means 9, for example by means of interlocking means (advantageously by means of means of 'elastic interlocking), which are advantageously carried by a connecting piece 10 described below.

The pricking member 7 and the collecting member 8 then advantageously form accessories which are attached to the cassette 3.

This embodiment has the advantage of being able to confer additional functionalities on a cassette 3 which is optionally conventional in itself, so as to authorize the analysis of capillary blood sample without requiring the implementation of a combination of devices distinct.

The cassette 3 of the analysis module 2 advantageously has an elongated shape, of generally parallelepipedic shape, delimited by two ends 31, 32 (longitudinally opposite).

The cassette 3 advantageously comprises two front walls 33, 34 which are connected by a side wall 35, device.

The first front wall 33 (advantageously upper) advantageously comprises two windows:

- a deposition window 37, arranged opposite the deposition zone 41 of said at least one immunochromatographic strip 4, and

- a reading window 38, arranged opposite the capture zone 43 of said at least one immunochromatographic strip 4.

For their assembly, the pricking member 7 and the collecting member 8 are advantageously carried by at least one connecting piece 10, advantageously forming an adapter adapted to be assembled with the cassette 3.

Said at least one connecting piece 10 then cooperates with the cassette 3 by means of the aforementioned assembly means 9.

In general, the pricking member 7 and the collecting member 8 can be carried by:

- a connecting piece 10, unique, which comprises assembly means 9 with the cassette 3 (FIGS. 1 to 6), or

- two separate connecting pieces 10, each comprising assembly means 9 with the cassette 3 (FIGS. 7 and 8).

A single connecting piece 10 is advantageously intended to cooperate with the two ends 31, 32 of the cassette 3.

In the presence of two separate connecting pieces 10 (FIGS. 7 and 8), the pricking member 7 and the collecting member 8 are advantageously each carried by one of said connecting pieces 10:

- a first connecting piece 101 carries the pricking member 7, and

- a second connecting piece 102 carries the collector member 8.

These two connecting pieces 101, 102 are then intended to be attached, each, at one of the two ends 31, 32 of the casette 3.

In general, said at least one connecting piece 10 advantageously comprises different walls intended to match the cassette 3, namely at least:

- a front wall 105 which is attached to the first front wall 33 of the cassette 3, and

- a skirt 106 which is attached to the side wall 35 of the cassette 3.

In the case of a single connecting piece 10, the front wall 105 advantageously comprises a through hole 1051 intended to come opposite the reading window 38 of the cassette 3, to together form the first through hole 241 facing said at least one capture zone 43 for reading the analysis.

Furthermore, the through orifice 82 of the collector member 8, made facing the deposit zone 41, is here advantageously made through the connecting piece 10 (in particular its front wall 105) and facing the deposit window 37 of cassette 3.

In other words, the front wall 105 advantageously comprises a through hole 1052 intended to come opposite the deposition window 37 of the cassette 3, to together form the second through hole 242 facing said at least one deposit zone. 41.

In general, the assembly means 9 may consist of interlocking means, for example elastic interlocking means (for example ribs), formed between said at least one connecting piece 10 and said cassette 3.

As shown on the , the assembly means 9 may also consist of at least one added, additional and lower part, which cooperate with said at least one connecting part 10 to together form a casing enveloping the cassette 3.

The cassette 3 is then sandwiched between the front wall 105 of the connecting piece 10 and the additional insert 9, underlying.

Furthermore, the pricking member 7 advantageously consists of an added piece, cooperating with said at least one connecting piece 10 by means of assembly means 11 ( ), for example elastic assembly means.

The assembly means 11 for the pricking member 7 can also be formed by the aforementioned insert 9 (see the ).

The pricking member 7 is advantageously located opposite and in the extension of the side wall 35 of the cassette 3, on the side of a first end 31 of the said cassette 3 (opposite the deposit window 37).

This pricking member 7 advantageously extends in the longitudinal extension of the cassette 3 and in the thickness of the cassette 3, ensuring a minimum bulk in thickness.

Implementation

In practice and if necessary, the analysis module 2 is assembled before implementation.

In this sense, the pricking member 7 and the collecting member 8 (carried by at least one connecting piece 10) are advantageously attached to the cassette 3 containing said at least one immunochromatographic strip 4.

The analysis module 2 is then manipulated so as to generate a drop of capillary blood by means of the pricking member 7 which is arranged at a first end 21 of the analysis module 2 (item A. of ).

A capillary blood sample is then collected by means of the collector member 8 which is provided at the level of the second end 22 of this same analysis module 2 (item B. of the ).

The sample then flows automatically/naturally to immunochromatographic strip 4, via conduit 81.

Then, a suitable quantity of the buffer solution 51 is brought through the through orifice 82 of the collector member 8 which is provided for this purpose, by means of the tank 5 which is distinct from/independent of the analysis module 2 ( item C. of the ).

Finally, after a time adapted to the migration of the buffer solution 51, for example from 10 to 20 minutes, the reading of said at least one chromatographic strip 4 is carried out at the level of the capture zone 43 of said at least one immunochromatographic strip 4, through the first through hole 241, to detect the possible presence of said at least one analyte A in said biological sample E (item D. of ).

Reading can be done directly (with the naked eye) or through a reading device.

Of course, various other modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (13)

System for the rapid analysis of a capillary blood sample from a subject, intended to detect the presence of at least one analyte (A) in said capillary blood sample (E),
which rapid analysis system (1) comprises:
(i) an analysis module (2) in which is incorporated at least one immunochromatographic strip (4) which is designed to detect the presence of said at least one analyte (A) by an immunochromatographic technique,
which at least one immunochromatographic strip (4) comprises a deposit zone (41) intended to receive the said capillary blood sample (E) and a capture zone (43) intended to detect the presence of the said at least one analyte (A),
which analysis module (2) comprises:
- a pricking member (7), adapted to generate a drop of capillary blood, and
- a collector member (8) comprising a conduit (81), fixed, suitable for capillary blood flow,
which conduit (81) has an inlet (811) suitable for collecting said drop of capillary blood, and an outlet (812), provided opposite said deposit zone (41) and suitable for depositing said drop of blood capillary on said deposit zone (41), and
(ii) a reservoir (5), separate from/independent of said analysis module (2), in which is packaged a buffer solution (51) suitable for the implementation of said immunochromatographic technique. System for the rapid analysis of a capillary blood sample (E), according to claim 1, characterized in that the analysis module (2) has an elongated shape delimited by two ends (21, 22),
in that the pricking member (7) is installed at a first end (21) of said analysis module (2), and
in that the collector member (8) is located at a second end (22) of said analysis module (2). System for the rapid analysis of a sample of capillary blood (E), according to any one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the analysis module (2) comprises a cassette (3) in which is incorporated said at least one immunochromatographic strip (4),
and in that the pricking member (7) and the collecting member (8) are assembled with the said cassette (3) by means of assembly means (9). System for the rapid analysis of a capillary blood sample (E), according to claim 3, characterized in that the pricking member (7) and the collecting member (8) are carried by at least one connecting piece (10), advantageously forming an adapter, which cooperate with said cassette (3) through said assembly means (9). System for the rapid analysis of a capillary blood sample (E), according to claim 4, characterized in that the pricking member (7) and the collecting member (8) are carried by:
- a single connecting piece (10), which comprises assembly means (9) with the cassette (3), or
- two separate connecting pieces (10), each of which comprises assembly means (9) with the cassette (3). System for the rapid analysis of a sample of capillary blood (E), according to any one of Claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the pricking member (7) cooperates with the said at least one connecting piece (10 ) through assembly means (11). System for the rapid analysis of a sample of capillary blood (E), according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the cassette (3) comprises two front walls (33, 34) which are connected by a side wall (35), in which a first front wall (33) comprises two windows:
- a deposition window (37), formed opposite the deposition zone (41) of said at least one immunochromatographic strip (4), and
- a reading window (38), arranged opposite the capture zone (43) of said at least one immunochromatographic strip (4),
and in that said at least one connecting piece (10) comprises at least:
- a front wall (105) attached to said first front wall (33) of the cassette (3) and
- a skirt (106) attached to said side wall (35) of the cassette (3). System for the rapid analysis of a sample of capillary blood (E), according to claim 7, characterized in that the pricking member (7) is located facing and in the extension of the side wall (35) of the box (3). System for the rapid analysis of a sample of capillary blood (E), according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the collector member (8) further comprises a through orifice (82) adapted to receive the buffer solution (51), formed facing the deposition zone (41), advantageously, where appropriate, in said at least one connecting piece (10) and facing the deposition window (37). System for the rapid analysis of a sample of capillary blood (E), according to claim 9, characterized in that the through orifice (82) comprises an annular surface (823) delimited by an inlet edge (821) and an exit edge (822), connected by a flared annular surface (823). System for the rapid analysis of a sample of capillary blood (E), according to any one of Claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the outlet (812) of the conduit (81) opens into the through orifice (82 ). System for the rapid analysis of a sample of capillary blood (E), according to claim 11, characterized in that the conduit (81) is in the form of a gutter, the outlet (812) of which is cantilevered. overhanging/projecting with respect to the through hole (82). Analysis module (2) for a system for the rapid analysis of a sample of capillary blood (E) originating from a subject, intended for the detection of the presence of at least one analyte (A) in said sample capillary blood (E),
which analysis module (2) incorporates at least one immunochromatographic strip (4) designed to detect the presence of said at least one analyte (A) by an immunochromatographic technique,
which at least one immunochromatographic strip (4) comprises a deposit zone (41) intended to receive said biological sample and a capture zone (43) intended to detect the presence of said at least one analyte (A),
which analysis module (2) comprises:
- a pricking member (7), adapted to generate a drop of capillary blood, and
- a collector member (8) comprising a conduit (81), fixed, adapted to a flow of capillary blood, which conduit (81) comprises an inlet (811) for the collection of said drop of capillary blood, and an outlet (812 ) for depositing said drop of capillary blood on said deposit zone (41),
which analysis module (2) has no reservoir (5) in which is packaged a buffer solution (51) suitable for the implementation of said immunochromatographic technique.